At an Assembly held at Newbern the Twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and fifty four and in the twenty eighth year of our sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King defender of the Faith &c. and continued by Prorogation and adjournment until this fourteenth of December 1754.

-------------------- page 213
--------------------

Saturday Decr 14th 1754 In the Upper House

Present

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr Member.

The Honble John Swann Esqr Member.

The Honble James Murray Esqr Member.

The Honble John Dawson Esqr Member.

The Honble James Hasell Esqr Member.

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr Member.

The Honble Francis Corbin Esqr Member.

Richd Spaight produced his Commission from the Govr impowering him to act as Clerk of the Upper House of Assembly and took the oath by law directed for Publick Officers and subscribed the Declaration.

His Excellency Arthur Dobbs Esqre Capt General Govr and Commander in chief in and over this Province came to this House and sent a message to the Lower House and Commanded their immediate attendance Whereupon the Speaker attended by the Lower House waited on his Excellency in the Council Chamber where he was pleased to make to both Houses the following speech.

Gentlemen of his Majesties Council, Mr. Speaker and Gent of the Assembly

His Majesty haveing been Graciously pleased to Honour and Intrust me with the Government of this Province, have taken the earliest opportunity of meeting with you in full Assembly to Consult you upon what may tend to the peace, Happiness Increase and Improvement of this Province and to Consider the proper laws to secure the Rights and properties and improve the Trade of this Colony; And to unite the affections of all the members of the society that all may concur in promoting your wealth and happiness as the first and greatest principal, and foundation of all social Happyness is the Knowledge of True Religion and the practice of Morality & Virtue to Know Love and Adore the divine Being as we ought and to obey the Precepts he has revealed to us so I think it my Duty, In the first place to Recommend to you the providing a Proper fund, to support a sufficient number of Learned Pious Clergymen to reside in the Province and to accommodate with Houses Glebes and Parish Clerks to enable them to instruct the Inhabitants and the rising generation in the Principles of true Religion & Virtue in such a prudent manner without Tyths, as to Prevent Contests and preserve a harmony betwixt the Clergy and the Laity, that their interest may be the same and they may have leisure as well as Inclination to Instruct their flock in Christian Principles.

Next to this in Duty to his Majesty who like a Beneficent Father has given to this Colony a Permanent property In their Lands reserving to himself a very small acknowledgement of Quit Rents, who has Protected it in its Infant state from all foreign Insults and has maintained and

-------------------- page 214
--------------------

supported it in all its Civil and Religious rights and Priviledges by a true Christian Liberty of Conscience and in the Happyest Constitution on the Globe; I must earnestly recommend to you that in return for his Majesty's paternal Care you make an effectual law of the speedy and easy Collection of the Quit Rents which his Majesty has been Graciously pleased to Apply for the ease of this Colony towards the discharge of a Great arrear due to the Officers of this Establishment and towards their Annual support who are necessary to support your Peace and to have Justice Impartialy distributed in the Province This in Justice to yourselves as well as in Gratitude to the best of Princes who is not only the Father of his people but the benefactor of Mankind; I'm Convinced you will readily agree to—After these I must recommend to your Consideration the making effectual Laws to secure your Peace and Properties and to obtain your rights; and to have Justice distributed in the easiest and speediest manner without dilatory law proceedings, & also Laws to promote Trade, and industries; in order to support your credit at Home, & abroad by making effectual Laws to recover just Debts, without Chicanery or Delay and all small Debts in a summery way, which will promote Economy and Industry & Prevent indolence and stealth. Since a paper currency has been found Beneficial hitherto for the want of Bullion or Coin I must recommend to you keeping up your paper credit by making your Paper Bills a Permanent fund of credit upon Land security by a loan office, and to provide a sufficient sum to pay off and cancel the Bills of Credit already Issued—In a short time, a plan of which shall be Communicated to you this with a General Inspection law and employing Inspectors In all your sea Ports, to view and support the credit of yr Exports, and a proper Economy with Industrie, must necessarily occasion a Ballance In your favour and consequently a return in Gold or silver and will Demonstrate that honesty in trade as well as in all other dealings is the best Policy. The extending your trade into the Continent and our Colonies into the fine Countries beyond the Mountain, being of the utmost consequence; to this and all our Colonies, I must earnestly recommend it to you to make a law to lay our Indian traders under proper regulations and to promote an Intimacy, and friendship and living in Harmony with our Indian Neighbours and Allies that we may be enabled to Civilize and make them Industrious and to Incorporate with them by Carrying on an equitable trade with them and treating them with Christian Benevolence. this at least we owe to them upon Acct of Possessing their Happy Climate and Country, & we shall not only Proffit by their trade but make them our steady friends and by extending our alliance to distant Nations we

-------------------- page 215
--------------------

may enlarge our trade over the whole Northern Continent and form an Impregnable Barrier against our ever active enemies the French who in time of profound peace have not only headed their Indian Allies and have prevailed with them to make depredations Massacre in cold blood and scalp several of the Inhabitants of this and our other Colonies, but have entered with an armed force and have erected forts in the Counties belonging to his Majesty, as well as of our Indian allies and therefore I'm commanded by his Majesty to recommend it to you in the strongest manner to provide a supply to assist the Colony of Virginia whose country is invaded and his Majesties troops slaughtered for endeavouring to repell these Invaders. The fire which has caught your Neighbours house has lately spread into your own, your religion Liberty and property are all at stake if [not] repelled & drove back to their Inhospitable Colonies, But as this subject is of the utmost importance and it will be tedious to explain the French plan calculated for the ruin of Britain and these Colonies at this time; as soon as you fall upon business I shall lay it before you in a more ample manner that you may see the Necessity of a speedy and effectual supply

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly,

I am Instructed & have it in command from his Majesty to look out & fix upon a convenient and healthy situation for the seat of Government & Courts of Justice which may best answer the whole Province, and to lay it before his Majesty for his approbation when that is fixed, your own prudence & wisdom will suggest to you whither you should not have a fund provided to erect publick buildings for the residence of the Govr and for the Publick Offices & Courts of Justice since the Credit & increase of the trade of the province depends in a great measure upon the healthiness and Increase of the Capital, and having all the publick Offices together.

I am also commanded by his Majesty earnestly to recommend to you the raising a suitable fund without Limitation of time to support the dignity of the Present and all future Governors and to answer the Contingencies & Emergencies of Government the payment of the officers & clerks of the Council and Assembly for the repairing of Fortifications, store Houses & Magazines, when erected which establishment will be always necessary for your security and defence.

His Majesty having been graciously pleased to give you a 1000 firelocks and Accoutrements for the use of this Province & I have a well grounded expectation that proper artillery with Military stores will be granted to the several Forts when erected and an Independent Company,

-------------------- page 216
--------------------

provided that a powder duty be again granted to supply the magazines in the Province, it is with great Concern that I observe from the late divisions in the Province the proper duties laid on for the support of the establishment and for sinking the paper Currency have not been properly levey'd, from the disputing the Legality of the Assembly in passing and Continuing those duties, by which means the charges of Government have not been paid and the Publick debt Increased, as this bone of Contention is happily laid aside by his Majesty having minutely entered into an Examination of the Constitution and Laws of the province by repealing several laws it will be necessary for you to have all the present laws revised and where laws have been repealed upon acct of some improper clauses, to reenact them with unexceptionable Clauses and to have the whole Laws assertained, which may be best done by appointing Commitees to sit upon them during the recess betwixt this and the next session, to have them ready to be offered at Next assembly.

Gentlemen of his Majesties Council Mr. Speaker and Gent of the Assembly.

Since his Majesty has been graciously pleased to Intrust me with the Care and Improvement of this Province as it is my duty so it shall be my Constant care to promote true Religion & Virtue and the wealth Peace and Happyness of the Colony & to Increase and Improve its trade. As a Union of Affections and Acting together for the general good of the Province is not only a prudent and right measure but absolutely necessary to be pursued to Improve the Colony In wealth & Trade it is my determined resolution to encourage and Countenance those who shall heartily concurr in so good a purpose which must Improve the markets support the Credit establish Justice and give strenth and weight to the Colony & Induce merchants, Artizans, and other Gentlemen of Learning Merit & probity, to Purchase & reside in the Province.

Then his Excellency withdrew from this House.

This Honble House was pleased to take into Consideration his Excellency's speech and ordered the same to be read which was accordingly done. Then the Honble Frans: Corbin Jno Swann and Lewis De Roset were appointed a Committee to Answer the same

Then the house adjourned untill 3 o'clock this afternoon.

Met & adjourned untill 11 o'clock a Monday morning

Munday December 16th 1754 The House met according to adjournment.

-------------------- page 217
--------------------

Present

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr Member.

The Honble Frans Corbin Esqr Member.

The Honble Jas Murray Esqr Member.

The Honble Jon Swann Esqr Member.

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr Member.

The Honble Jon Dawson Esqr Member.

The Honble Jno Rutherford Esqr Member.

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr Member.

The Gentlemen appointed by this Board to draw up an address to His Excellency Arthur Dobbs Esqr reported the same which was ordered to be read Being approved of was ordered to be engrossed

Then the House adjourned until 3 o'clock P M.

Met according to adjournment present as above.

Then the Honble Frans Corbin and Lewis De Roset Esqrs were appointed to waite on his Excellency to know when he would be pleased to receive the address of this house they went accordingly & reported that his Excelly appointed tomorrow at 11 o'clock to receive the same in Council and the House adjourned to 10 o'clock tomorrow morning

Tuesday December 17th 1754 The House met according to adjournment.

Present.

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr

The Honble Francis Corbin Esqr

The Honble Jas Murray Esqr

The Honble Jon Swann Esqr

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr

The Honble Jon Dawson Esqr

The Honble Jno Rutherford Esqr

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr

The House waited on his Excellency at the Council room and by the Honble Mathew Rowan Esqre presented him with the following address (vizt.)

May it please your Excellency,

We his Majesties most dutiful and loyal subjects the Members of his Majesty's Council for this Province with pleasure embrace this first opportunity (of our meeting together) of Congratulating your Excellency on your safe arrival in this Province. And we beg leave to assure you we have a lively sence of his Majesties Paternal care and tenderness in intrusting the Government to a Gentleman whose benevolent Character and experience in publick Affairs gives us the most sanguine hopes that under his prudent administration an end may be put to all the divisions under which this Province has already too long groan'd & that peace and Happiness may succeed rancour and party.

We are next to return your Excellency our sincere and hearty thanks for your speech and to express the great satisfaction it gives us to observe you have pointed at those things only which may conduce to the happiness, safety and peace of this Government we shall therefore in duty to his Majesty and our Country readily concurr with the other

-------------------- page 218
--------------------

House In passing such laws as may be most effectual for the encouragement of Pious & learned Clergymen to Instruct the Inhabitants in true Religion and virtue for the more easy Collecting of his Majesties Quit-Rents, that he may be enabled to discharge the great arrear due to the officers of this Government for the supporting the Credit of our Paper Currency & fixing a Permanent fund of Credit that our Character in foreign Parts may be established. For the extending our trade into the Continent and laying our Indian traders under proper Regulations. For the Granting such further aid to the Colony of Virginia as a Country already exhausted (by a considerable sum before given for that purpose) can possibly spare, we shall also readily concur with the other House in providing a sufficient fund to erect publick buildings at such a place as the seat of Government may be fixed at, and for the other purpose Your Excellency Mentions.

We look upon it as our duty to return his Majesty our sincere thanks for having removed the bone of Contention that occasioned our late divisions and nothing can give us a more sensible pleasure than the prospect we have of a Coalition under your Excellencys administration, and that Instead of hard & Injurious terms all parties may be so united that as they are under one Government so they may all joyn for the general good by the enforcing the many good laws already made and for the future heartily Joyn in making such others as the necessity of the Government may require and as appointing a Committee for a new revisal will be the only means whereby the deficiency of the Laws (already made) can be found we shall chearfully concurr in appointing such persons as may be most capable for that purpose

It is with the greatest satisfaction that we observe your Excellencys Inclination to promote true Religion and Virtue the wealth peace and happiness of this Province as well as the Increase & Improvement of its trade and your wise Resolution for the establishing a Union of Affections in the people of this Government by giving of encouragement and Countenance to those only who will concur in so good a purpose as for our part as we are unanimous in our sentiments, unbiased by the prejudice of Parties & having no other view, or any more at heart than the welfare of the Province shall use our utmost endeavours by a steady Conduct to reconcile the affections of the people to one another and by that means render your Excellencys administration Prosperous and Happy.

We think it an Indispensible obligation on us to return his Majesty our sincere and greatfullest thanks for having been graciously pleased to send over to this Province a thousand stand of arms, and we flatter ourselves

-------------------- page 219
--------------------

that thro' your Excellcys Intercession we may obtain an independant Company with Artillery and proper stores for our Forts to defend us against the Insults of our Enemies.

To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following Answer

I am extremely obliged to you for this address. Your Duty and Loyalty, and the zeal you express to have, peace and unanimity reestablished in this Province; I shall faithfully represent to his Majesty.

The satisfaction you express of your sense of my Inclinations and endeavours to promote his Majestys Interest and the good of this Colony will add to my zeal, And care to restore peace and harmony, and to secure & Improve this Province.

Mr. Ashe and Mr. Caswell brought up the following Message

Gent of his Majestys Honble Council

This House have appointed Mr. Thos Barker Mr. Jon Harvey Mr. Saml Swann Mr. Robt Jones and Mr. Joseph Blunt a Committee to examine state settle the publick Accts of this Province And Mr. Thos Lovick, Mr. John Starkey, Mr. Willm Mackay Mr. Saml Sinclair and Mr. Wyriott Ormond a Committee to examine settle and allow publick claims in Conjunction with such of your Honours as you shall think fit to appoint

By order

JOHN CAMPBELL Speaker

Wm Heritage Clerke

The House adjourned until 3 o'clock P. M. Met and adjourned until 10 oclock tomorrow morning

Wednesday Decr 18th
1754 Met pursuant to adjournment.

Present

The Honble Mathew Rowan

Jon Swann

Jas Hasell

Jon Dawson

Frans Corbin

Lewis De Roset Esqr Member.

This House proceeded to chuse a Committee to Joyn that of the other house on the Publick Accounts and claims & the Honble Jas Hasell and Jon Rutherford Esqrs appointed on the Accts and the Honble Jon Swann & Jon Dawson Esqrs were appointed on the Claims & a message was sent to the other house aquainting them therewith in the following words Viz.

Mr. Speaker Gent of the Assembly

This House taking under their Consideration the Message of yesterday Relative to the appointment of the Committees of publick accounts

-------------------- page 220
--------------------

and claims, have thought fit to appoint the following Gentlemen in conjunction with those of yours viz. The Honble Jas Hasell & Jon Rutherford Esqrs on the Publick Accts and the Honble Jon Swann and Jon Dawson Esqrs on the Claims.

Received from his Excellency a message which was read and is as follows.

Gentlemen of his Majesties Council Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly

Having in my speech to you at your meeting, told you that I should in a more ample manner lay before you the grand plan of France to ruin and distress the British Colonies on this Continent: I take the earliest opportunity of laying their wicked and enslaving scheme before you that you may see the Necessity there is of granting a reasonable and immediate supply and entering into a plan of union with all the British Colonies for our mutual future defence

The French ever active and ambitious under the insatiable and rapacious house of Bourbon, whose ministers having destroyed the galick Liberties by the establishing an Arbitary Power in the King alone have for near two Centuries laid a plan for enslaving Europe by ruining the liberties of the Germanick body & protestant interest of Europe Their first attempt was to ruin the house of Austria by playing the Germanick body against the head and raising themselves upon its ruin; and made use of the Germanic protestant powers for that purpose, when at the same time they were ruining the protestants In France and depriving the French of their Liberties, whilst they were extending their limits, at the expence of Germany and the Spanish branch of the House of Austria and by that means had forced the House of Spain for the sake of Peace to intermarry with the House of Bourbon upon their solemn Renunciation of the right of Succession to the Spanish Monarchy that fatal Match has been the cause of the late expensive wars and has endangered the loss of the Liberties of Europe for by the Galick Intrigues they have established a younger branch of the House of Bourbon to govern the Spanish Monarchy which by its Pretention to and possession of above half of America, which they claim as their right only by a Papal Donation have aquired a Dominion more extensive and rich than any Empire ever known on the Globe. Thus France from a powerfull Enemy have made the Spanish Monarchy a Confirmed & Potent ally with some hopes I fear too well grounded of its being sooner or latter to the Galic Monarchy.

-------------------- page 221
--------------------

But the French after two long and bloody wars having been obstructed in their plan of aggrandising themselves In Europe by failing in their attempts of ruining the house of Austria by the prudence magnanimity and steady conduct of our most gracious King, the Father of his People who supported by the Courage Wealth and naval Power of the British Empire by Powerfully supporting and assisting his allies hath Defeated the Galic future schemes in Europe: The French mad at their disapointment finding that the British liberties and protestant succession in his Illustrious House; and that Britain cant be conquered or reduced but by ruining its commerce and with it our Naval power have changed their system, and have laid a plan to ruin the British Commerce by Confining invading and Conquering all our American Colonies, by first Attempting the Colonies on the Continent for by securing the fisheries and naval stores of America they would increase their Marine and ruin the Commerce and with it the Naval Power of Britain; and then they would divide America with the Spaniards, and the whole would Center in the House of Bourbon: for then by the Assistance of France Portugal must fall an easy Prey to the Power of Spain and the French would stipulate to have the Brazils Africa and India yielded to them as the elder branch of the House of Bourbon and then the Power and wealth of Britain being reduced all the powers of Europe tho United could not withstand the united power and wealth of the house of Bourbon it being Demonstrable that those who have the wealth power and Commerce of America, Africa and the Indies must be Masters of the Liberties of Europe

The Gallic branch of the House of Bourbon distinguished of late for their worse than Punic faith have for at least a Century never ended one war but with a view to extend their Power and Dominions in time of Peace by force or Intrigues and to prepare for another war and think it no Crime to invade or incroach upon their Neighbours who obstruct their schemes in Profound Peace thinking themselves not bound by the most solemn treaties, if they prevent their aggrandizing their Empire.

This has been very Notorious formerly in Europe, but their schemes proving abortive there they have of late prosecuted their plan in America, have they not Contrary to the most solemn treaties deprived us of the greatest and best part of Nova Scotia to the westward of the Bay of Fundi erected Forts at Chinecto to Confine us within the Peninsula? and made another, and are forming a settlement on the river of St Johns to ruin the trade of New England and the Northern Colonies by their Privateers In the next war when we shall be Couped up by their shipping there and at Louisbourg; Have not they by their hellish Missionaries spirited up all their Indian Allies to Massacre and make Depredations

-------------------- page 222
--------------------

not only In Nova Scotia but against all our Northern Colonies Have they not erected a Fort at Crown Point to distress and Confine our Colonies of New England and New York on lands wch are the undoubted right of his Majesty? Have they not erected a Fort at Niagara upon the Lands of the six Nations our acknowledged and declared Allies by the treaty of Ulrecht have they not laid a claim to and erected Forts upon his Majesties lands on the back of Virginia and pretended a right to all the lands beyond the Mountains, as far as the Mississippe? have they not contrary to the right of Treaties deprived us of the Indian trade and seized our traders and all their goods, In time of Profound peace: have they not privately sent over and Increased their forces from time to time both in Louisiana and Canada and have they not sent forces from Louisiana to erect a fort on the entrance of the Onabach or river of St Jerome into the Ohio? Are not these enormous Invasions and Incroachments in time of Peace? Are not they gaining all the Indian Nations intercepting & depriving us of our Indian allies and daily instigating their Allies to scalp massacre and destroy our settlers these are all facts too notorious and recent to be denied, and must naturally discover to us the whole plan and scheme laid by the French to Confine, Conquer, and enslave all our Colonies.

A scheme grand in its extent, romantic In appearance and even beyond the Power of France to execute altho the Crown has an absolute Power over all the Private Purses of his subjects when he has a call for them; provided the Colonies exert their native force Immediately and Repel them to their Inhospitable Cold Colony of Canada and Confine them to the hot sands of Louisiana the plan they have laid is no less than Immediately to Confine our Colonies betwixt the Mountains and the Eastern Ocean by erecting forts from Canada to Louisiana upon the Ohio, and principal Rivers betwixt the two Colonies, fixing strong Garrisons in them and so forming a chain of above 2000 miles to prevent our Corresponding or trading with our Indian Allies when that is done; and they have by menaces, or by Hellists Jesuitical Missionaries made Proselytes of them not to the True Christian Religion founded on peace Benignity and brotherly love, but to the pomps and outward trappings of the Popish Hierachy, and superstition and have Inspired an enthusiastic fury into them against Protestants whom they call heriticks making it meritorious in them to massacre and destroy them upon which they assure them their future happiness depends then they propose proceeding further and to seize and secure all the passes on the mountains and head the Indians against all our Colonies and force us to become tributary or to submit to the Arbitary Govermt of France and become

-------------------- page 223
--------------------

their slaves or be massacred by them and their Indians, or be forced out of our Religion Liberties and Properties a fatal Dilemma should they execute their scheme.

This scheme hatched in hell and supported by the Court of Rome so iniquitous and unlikely to be brought to perfection could never be adopted by the Court of France if they were not prepossed that the British Colonies were unwilling or Incapable of uniting and exerting their force Imagining (for which they have some grounds) that the several Colonies are like a Rope of sand each guided by selfish partial Views, and that each planter is more weded to his own private gain, than to defend the Rights of his Cummunity, or of the Neighbouring Colonies, and will not part with a share of his wealth to secure the remainder imagining that he will be the last that will suffer, or vainly expecting that Britain will or can be at the whole expence and let them Indolently look on; so that before they can be brought to act, The French will have formed their chain and gain their ends They also consider the military genius of the French Gentry who are educated with a view to pomp and Power and their whole thoughts are turned to support the Glory of the Grand Monarque and therefore are never easy in time of Peace but always forming projects of aggrandizing France by the naxt war so that this Vilainous opinion they have of the british planters in the Colonies and the enthusiastic spirit of their Military Genius induce the French Ministry to undertake schemes beyond their Power to execute If then we give the French time to execute the scheme they have begun the Liberties, Properties, and Protestant Religion in these Colonies would be unavoidably Less.

How miserable must be the condition then of all our Colonies and the Indians from being our faithful Allies obliged to become our Inveterate Enemies drove by them from the Mountains toward the sea Coast attacked by flying French squadrons and privateers. In this situation we must submit to be slaves to France become their hewers of wood and Drawers of Water supporting them with most enormous taxes

God Almighty, who by his Providence under the Conduct of our Messiah hath in many Remarkable instances defeated all Popish schemes, when the Protestant Interest and Liberties of Britain seemed to be at the brink of ruin. Our Messiah who is ever a beneficent Guardian to his true Protestant Church, founded in Justice Humanity and social love hath now put it in our power to make their whole scheme abortive, if we exert our whole native strength without loss of time, by infatuating their Councils and permitting them to Discover and enter upon the execution of their plan, before they are prepared and strengthen'd by a sufficient

-------------------- page 224
--------------------

Force from France it being evident at present that we outnumber the French Colonies upon this Continent above forty to one, and are yet strengthened with many brave Indian allies so that we vastly exceed both in wealth and number all the French upon the Continent or those they can support if sent from France in their present Inhospitable Colonies.

Great Britain which has formed and nursed up these Colonies from their infancy to a state of manhood & hath greatly increased their numbers, and though they are loaded with debts and enormous tho necessary taxes hath not only protected these Colonies, but indulged them In paying a small Quit Rent, and the easiest taxes (spent in their own support) of any Civilized nation on the globe whilst Britain and every state in Europe are loaded with taxes and most of the trading nations with heavy debts, whilst Britain is strugling under these difficulties altho the Parliament hath a power of taxing the Colonies for their own support by taking off the Premium they pay us for some of our exports and laying on duties upon what we export to Britain or elsewhere; yet his Majesty in regard to his faithful Colonies is only desirous that they should unite and form a society amongst themselves to raise a proper and adequate Quota or fund for their mutual support and defence that the united forces of the Colonies to Consider of the most equitable and proper method of raising the taxes which are necessary for the support of his Government their own peace and safety and a reasonable sum from each of the Colonies to be laid up as a fund to support and Increase our Indian Allies and to prevent all foreign invasions and incroachments and if France should still go on with their Romantic scheme when they see we shall exert our whole native force and should pour in troops from France to enslave us, then his Majesty will exert his power and maintain the rights of Britain by their naval power and enable the Colonies to support their Just Rights and Properties.

In this critical situation let us his Majestys faithful subjects of the Colony of No Carolina shew that we are true sons of Britain whose ancestors have been ever famous for defending their valuable religion and liberties, and that we are still Inspired with the same spirit of Liberty, and are determined to support our Religious, and civil rights, and hand them down to our Posterity let us show that we are one of the latest Colonies, and scarcely arrived at the state of Manhood our neighbouring Colonies have attained to either in wealth or number, yet that we are still ready to exert our power and grant an Immediate supply to assist in the General defence of the Colonies; and that as we have already shewn a good example so we shall continue to be a laudable precedent to the rest of the more opulent Colonies; and instead of entering into private

-------------------- page 225
--------------------

party Quarrels, as some have done or putting off proper supplies as some others have done, by an Ill Judged Economy, or out of a penurious selfish Consideration as some propriatory and charter Colonies have done, vainly Imagining that the danger is at a distance and that they will leave the brunt of it to others and that Britain loaded with debts and taxes will defend them and Indulge them in living without taxes or assisting in the general defence of the Colonies, let us then chearfully give what is reasonable and proper for us by an immediate supply, as well knowing that a moderate sum now granted will go farther in securing our rights and properties, than ten times as much if longer delayed. Let us then inspire the other Colonies with an equal fire to maintain their religion & Liberties and to preserve the friendship and defend the rights of our Indian Allies This as gratefull men we owe to them for the Happiness we enjoy in possessing these fine Climates and rich lands of America which was once theirs either by Possession or Conquest, this we owe to them as free men and true christians to promote their happiness and make them partakers of our happy Constitution, and extending it thro' the Continent by endeavouring to Civilize and Incorporate with them, and to lay a foundation for their becoming Christains and their true zeal will heap blessings upon all our Colonies and our Posterity.

Let us then behave like generous brave men and true christians for a little while confine our appetites and luxuries and part with a reasonable part of our wealth to preserve the Remainder and our happy Constitution in church and state to our latest posterity; this will shew the Gallic Monarch, and his insatiable ministry that we are not to be Intimidated or to be bullied out of our rights and that if he should Insist upon his Romantic scheme of surrounding, confining, and enslaving us, that we will Jointly and Unanimously support our valuable religion Liberties and Properties with our lives and fortunes, and that whilst we behave like brave men and true Christians we are sure of the protection of God our Messiah and that we will not only be happy in this world but to endless Ages.

Then the Honble Frans Corbin & Lewis De Roset Esqre were appointed a Committee to prepare an address to be presented to his Excellency thereupon.

The house adjourned to 3 o'clock.

Met pursuant to adjournment. Present as above.

Adjourned to tomorrow morning 9 o'clock

-------------------- page 226
--------------------

Thursday 19th Decembr 1754. Met according to adjournment.

Present.

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr

The Honble Frans Corbin Esqr

The Honble James Murray Esqr

The Honble John Swann Esqr

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr

The Honble Jon Dawson Esqr

The Honble Jon Rutherford Esqr

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr

Adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M.

Met according to adjournment Present as above

Adjourned to tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.

Friday, Decr 20th 1754. Met pursuant to adjournment

Present.

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr

The Honble Frans Corbin Esqr

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr

The Honble John Swann Esqr

The Honble Jon Rutherford Esqr

The Honble Jon Dawson Esqr

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr

The Gentlemen appointed by this board to draw up an address to his Excelly Arthur Dobbs Esqr in answer to his message reported the same which was ordered to be read & approved of was ordered to be engrossed

The address of this House to his Excellcy in answer to his message was delivered to the Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr to be by him presented and is as follows.

May it please your Excellency

As you have been pleased to lay before us in your message to the grand plan of the French (as mentioned in your speech) to ruin and distress all the British Colonys on the Continent In such Judicious and strong terms, we are under the Necessity of Addressing your Excelly on that head.

-------------------- page 227
--------------------

We are fully sensible of the encroachments of the French and the methods they had taken to gain over several of our friendly Indian Nations by whose connivance and Assistance they had built Forts within the Govt of Virginia on the river Ohio from whence they had in conjunction with the Indians made excursions on the Inhabitants of the back Country Pillaging and Massacreing without distinction of age or sex all that came in their way and all this In open Violation of the solemn treaties subsisting between the two nations. Wherefore at our last meeting we joyned the other House In granting to his Majesty such an aid as exceeded that of any of the other Colonys (altho they were either of them far more opulent and more exposed than us) And in wch we hoped we should have been followed by our neighbours, but their indolence was such that for want of exerting themselves, The French defeated the Virginia Forces and thereby became quiet possessors of their unjust pretentions and of course firmly attached the Indians to their Party from whence its plain we are open and exposed to the ravages of a Cruel and merciless enemie who threatens nothing less than the depriving us of our Libertys and propertys, as well as the free exercise of our religion; as this Sir is our true state on the Continent we hope it will cause the breast of every true lover of his Country to glow with a Just Indignation & resentment and rouse the other Colonies out of their stupid lethergy, & In order to stir them up to assert his Majestys Just rights and to preserve to our posterity the Invaluable priviledges, we have long enjoyed. We shall in conjunction with the other House grant to his Majesty such a further aid as the Indigency of the Province will permit of; that your Excellency may be enabled to send a body of men to Joyn the forces Intended to dispossess the French, and should not this be sufficient to spirit up our Neighbours yet we shall have the satisfaction of reflecting that no blame can lye at our door, & that we have with alacrity and unanimity Discharged the duty we owe to the best of Kings and to our Country.

Mr. Ash and Mr. Vail brought up a bill for establishing the supreme Courts of Justice Oyer and Terminer and genl goal delivery of No Carolina which bill was read and ordered to lye on the table to ten o'clock to morrow morning In the assembly read the first time and passed

Brought up a bill by Mr. Caswell and Mr. Read for establishing County Courts for enlargeing their jurisdiction and settling their proceedings therein In the Assembly read the first time and Passed. In the upper House read the first time and passed

Brought up by Mr. Spear and Mr. Bell a bill for appointing Parishes and Vestrys for the Encouragement of an Orthodox Clergy, for the Advancemt of the protestant religion and for the direction of the Settlement of Parish Accts. In the Assembly read the 2nd time and passed. In the upper House read the first time and passed.

Adjourned to 9 O'clock tomorrow morning

Fryday Decr 27th 1754 Met pursuant to adjournmt

Present.

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr

The Honble Frans Corbin Esqr

The Honble James Murray Esqr

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr

The Honble Jon Rutherford Esqr

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr

Mr. Harnet and Mr. Ashe brought up a bill to repeal an Act Intituled an Act to prevent the exportation of raw hides pieces of hides and calf

-------------------- page 229
--------------------

skins out of this Governmt. In the Assembly read the first time and passed. In the upper House read the first time and passed

Mr. Samuel Swann Junr & Mr. Relf brought up a bill to appoint an Agent to represent and solicit the Affairs of this Province at the several Boards In England. In the Assembly read the first time & passed. In the Upper House read the first time and passed

This House took under their Consideration the Bill for establishing the supreme Courts of Justice Oyer and terminer and Genl Goal delivery of No Carolina which was ordered to lye on the Table to this morning and passed. In the upper House read the first time and passed.

Mr. Harnet & Mr. Blunt brought up a bill for granting an aid to his Majesty for the defence of the Frontiers of this Province and other Purposes. In the Assembly read the first time & Passed.

Mr. Ashe and Mr. Houston brought up a bill for appointing the several ferrys therein mentioned & for obliging the Commissioners of the several districts to make roads to the same In the Assembly read the first time & passed.

The bill for Granting an Aid to his Majesty for the defence of the frontiers of this Province and other purposes was read and the Honble Jas Murray & Frans Corbin Esqre were appointed A Committee to prepare amendments to the same against Munday morning next.

Then adjourned to 3 o'clock. P M.

Met pursuant to adjournment Present as above.

Mr. Williams and Mr. Hutchins brought up a bill for appointing Parishes and Vestrys for the encouragemt of an Orthodox Clergy for the advancement of the protestant Religion & for the direction of the settlement of Parish accts In the Assembly read the second time and passed with amendments

Mr. Cade and Mr. Bell brought up a bill for removing the Court In Granville County & for other Purposes In the Assembly read the first time and passed.

-------------------- page 230
--------------------

The Bill for appointing the several ferrys therein mentioned and for obliging the Commissioners of the several Districts to make roads to the same In the Upper House read the first time and passed with Amendmts

The bill for removing the Court in Granville County and for other purposes. In the Upper House read the first time and passed with Amendments.

Then adjourned to Munday the 30th at 10 O'Clock.

Munday 30th December 1754. Met pursuant to adjournment

Present.

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr

The Honble Frans Corbin Esqr

The Honble James Murray Esqr

The Honble John Swann Esqr

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr

The Honble Jon Dawson Esqr

The Honble Jon Rutherford Esqr

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr

The Committee appointed to prepare Amendments to the Bill for Granting an Aid to his Majesty for the defence of the Frontiers of this Province & other purposes reported the same which were agreed to by this House the said Bill being read and passed. In the Upper House read the first time and passed.

Mr. Ashe and Mr. Caswell brought up the bill for the several ferrys therein mentioned and for obligeing the Commissioners of the several districts to make roads to the same. In the Assembly read the second time and passed with Amendments.

Mr. Saml Swann Junr and Mr. Rew brought up the bill for establishing the Supreme Court of Justice Oyer & Terminer and Genl Jayl Delivery of North Carolina. In the Assembly read the second time and passed with Amendmts

Mr. Saml Swann Junr and Mr. Rew brought up the bill for establishing County Courts for enlargeing that Jurisdiction and settling the Proceedings therein. In the Assembly read the second time and passed with Amendments.

Mr. Sumner and Mr. Bell brought up the Bill to appoint an Agent to represent & solicit the Affairs of this Province at the several boards in England. In the Assembly read the second time and passed with Amendments

Adjourned to 3 o'clock.

Met pursuant to adjournment Present as above.

The Bill for appointing Parishes and Vestrys for the encouragement of an Orthodox Clergy for the advancement of the Protestants religion & for the direction of the Settlement of Parish Accts. In the Upper House read the second time & passed with Amendments.

-------------------- page 231
--------------------

The Bill to appoint an Agent In England to Represent and solicit the Affairs of this Province at the several Boards Rejected.

Then adjourned to 9 o'clock tomorrow morning

Tuesday 31st December 1754. Met pursuant to Adjournment.

Present.

The Honble Mathew Rowan Esqr

The Honble Frans Corbin Esqr

The Honble James Murray Esqr

The Honble John Swann Esqr

The Honble Jas Hasell Esqr

The Honble Jon Dawson Esqr

The Honble Jon Rutherford Esqr

The Honble Lewis De Roset Esqr

The Bill for establishing the supreme Courts of Justice Oyer and Terminer and Genl Goal Delivery of North Carolina. In the Upper House read the second time and passed with Amendmts

The Bill for establishing County Courts for enlargeing their Jurisdiction and settling the Proceedings therein. In the Upper House read the second time and passed with Amendments.

The Bill for appointing the Several Ferrys therein mentioned, and for obliging the Commissioners of the Several Districts to make roads to the same. In the upper house read the second time & passed with Amendments.

Then adjourned to 3 o'clock P M.

Met pursuant to adjournment present as before the Honble John Rutherford & John Swann Esqr only excepted.

Then adjourned to 10 o'Clock tomorrow morning.

[For Journals of the succeeding days of the session see A. D. 1755.—Editor.]